Hoyer Statement on Appeals Court Ruling DOMA Unconstitutional

Hoyer Statement on Appeals Court Ruling DOMA Unconstitutional

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional:

"Today's ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirms what I have previously said: the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. All citizens should be treated equally under the law, but DOMA denies federal rights and benefits to some families that are available to others. This discrimination is unacceptable and cannot continue.

"This is just the latest in a string of federal cases where DOMA has been ruled unconstitutional. Despite that fact, Republicans have racked up $1.5 million in taxpayer-funded legal bills defending this discriminatory law. I hope today's ruling will finally bring them to drop their defense of DOMA."